Slow down and move over

Motorists in B.C. will be required to slow down and switch lanes to give more room to any vehicle they encounter with flashing red, blue or yellow lights under a regulation change taking effect Jan. 1.

The Slow Down Move Over rule previously only applied to “official vehicles” like emergency responders, tow trucks, park rangers and conservation officers.

The simplified rule will also apply to all other vehicles with those flashing lights – including those operated by highway maintenance workers, surveyors, garbage collectors and animal control workers – reducing the risk of those workers being hit by passing vehicles.

When those vehicles are present, drivers must slow to 70 km/h when in an 80 or higher zone, or 40 km/h in an under-80 zone. On multi-lane roads, drivers are to switch lanes where safe to do so to give more room. Violators face a $173 ticket and three penalty points.